How Labor and Union Relations Can Strengthen Corporate Governance

Labor and union relations are a focal point for many companies and play a direct role in shaping corporate governance and business strategy. To delve into this topic, Leonardo Carvalho, our Labor partner, welcomed Daniella Janoni, Lucinéia Francisco, and Roberto Baccaro to our “Coffee with the Experts” event, held on February 10.

The program, structured in two sessions, featured our partner and guest speakers examining collective bargaining as a strategic tool for conflict resolution and business management. They also addressed key labor issues expected to take center stage in 2026.

Collective Bargaining as a Strategic Tool

To kick off the discussion, Leonardo, Daniella, Lucinéia, and Roberto highlighted the strength of labor unions in Brazil and the importance of maintaining open dialogue with these organizations as part of sound business management.

“Open dialogue between employers and employees is the way to solve problems, bringing benefits to all sectors that make up a company,” emphasized Lucinéia, who also underscored the importance of active listening in resolving disputes.

Daniella added that engaging with unions is not solely the responsibility of the Human Resources department. “Business leaders play an extremely important role in negotiations and conflict resolution,” she stressed.

In addressing how to negotiate effectively with unions, Roberto pointed out the importance of understanding their historical development in Brazil. “The evolution and transformation of unions in Brazil—from the early industrial period to the present day—shapes how union leaders position themselves and negotiate today.”

The speakers also emphasized the need to recognize the specific characteristics of each negotiation, noting that every union has its own geographic, political, economic, and cultural particularities. Understanding and respecting the differences across regions and workforce groups, they said, is essential to building consensus and reaching sustainable agreements.

They further highlighted tax reform as a key factor contributing to stronger and more constructive labor relations between unions and employers. According to the panelists, increased financial predictability for companies has enabled better workforce planning, more structured compensation policies, and more balanced collective bargaining processes.

The first session concluded with a clear takeaway: successful negotiations hinge on effective communication—communication that seeks balance and shared purpose, while respecting the boundaries and assumptions of each labor sector involved.

What Lies Ahead

In the second session, the speakers discussed the main labor and union trends expected to gain traction in 2026.

Leonardo, Daniella, Lucinéia, and Roberto agreed that the potential end of the 6×1 work schedule will be the most prominent labor issue this year, particularly given the political, economic, and social factors surrounding the debate.

They also noted that wage increases may become another key topic, as low inflation creates a more favorable economic environment for salary adjustments.

Employee well-being and health are also expected to remain front and center. These issues are gaining relevance due to the growing number of sick leaves and labor claims related to work-induced illnesses, as well as the measures companies will need to adopt to support their workforce—especially in terms of quality of life.

Remote work was another topic of discussion. Since the post-pandemic period, there has been a noticeable shift from fully remote arrangements toward hybrid models, often with more in-office days than remote ones. This transition has sparked ongoing debate and is closely tied to broader concerns about employee well-being and health.

The speakers also highlighted the growing relevance of so-called “hypersufficient” employees and their impact on the labor market, given the increasing attention this topic has received within Brazilian companies.

About Coffee with the Experts

The “Coffee with the Experts” series is an exclusive initiative by BVA – Barreto Veiga Advogados. Designed to analyze and debate topics that directly impact the business environment, the series brings together our partners and coordinators alongside leading market figures for in-depth discussions on timely and strategic issues.

To learn more about upcoming events, follow us on our website and social media channels.